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LOT 0674
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Demeter Holding Ear of Corn
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (2.21 grams, 19 mm).
Set in a silver mount with beaded edge; the intaglio depicting Demeter draped, advancing left and holding ear of corns in her right hand.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Important North West London collection.
Cf. Walters, H.B., Catalogue of Engraved Gems & Cameos, Greek, Etruscan & Roman in the British Museum, London, 1926, no.3342, for similar.
FootnotesDemeter and Hecate were linked to the afterlife cult, so it is possible that the ring to which the bezel belonged was a funerary gift. Demeter (Ceres for the Romans) was the Greek goddess of the harvest, the cycle of life and death and sacred law.
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LOT 0674
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Demeter Holding Ear of Corn
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
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Roman Terracotta Lion Rhyton
Late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,000
Modelled naturalistically in the round in an advancing pose with face, muzzle and tooth detailing within the open mouth, the tufts of the animal's mature mane individually rendered; filling hole on the back; the mouth open acting as a spout; North African workmanship; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.5 kg total, 20.5 cm high including stand
with Sotheby’s London, 9 December 1994, lot 221. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by copies of relevant Sotheby's catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11797-206532.
The lion was famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labour, but it was also linked with the cult of the goddess Cybele, where it is usually represented sculptured in relief on either side of her throne. -
Danubian Lead Votive Plaque with Helen of Troy
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Comprising a figural scene in relief composed of a mounted rider (Dioscuros) advancing left towards the figure of Helen of Troy, a worshipper behind his horse and another beneath it in the attitude of submission; the sun and the moon above. 91 grams, 83 mm
Acquired early 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection.
The image of Sol Invictus assumed a great importance in the Danubian cult: the frequent representation of the celestial gods on the plaques is paralleled by their representation on monuments of other mystery cults, particularly the cult of Mithras. The image of a Dioscuros on horseback is linked to that of the Danubian rider. -
Roman Period Terracotta Oil Lamp
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Sub-circular in plan with carinated sidewalls, tapering and up-turned nozzle and spout, gusseted loop handle; shallow ring foot. 73 grams, 95 mm
Acquired 1970s onwards. Private collection of Michael O'Hara, Cambridgeshire, UK. Ex private collection of Benjamin Hyde-Smith, Hertfordshire, UK.
